Most businesses are cyclical and experience periods of intense focus on customer work and others where you find yourself with a few spare minutes to invest a little bit of time in the nuts and bolts of the business of your brand. If you find yourself with some time to spare at the beach or at the office this summer, here are a few ideas for checking in on your brand fundamentals.

There’s a quote from Donald Miller, CEO of StoryBrand and author of a powerful TedX talk called “How to clarify your message so people will listen”, that gets right to the heart of effective communication: “Talk 75% about your customers’ problems and 25% about your products and you’ll sell a lot more products.”

It’s a powerful reminder that successful marketing isn’t about leading with what you do. It’s about leading with what your audience needs.

You’ve got a million ideas for marketing your business, but every time you sit down to execute, the overwhelm sets in. Sound familiar? You’re not alone! The trick is to start small, stay focused, and build momentum. Here are some no-nonsense tips to help you cut through the noise and get moving: